Enthusiasm is already building for Huntington High School’s Homecoming Day festivities on Saturday, October 9. It will culminate a week full of activities for about 1,500 students and their counterparts across the district.
The day will feature a late morning parade through the heart of the village followed by an afternoon football game against rugged West Babylon. Halftime activities will include performances by the Blue Devil marching band and the Highsteppers, the high school’s competitive dance team along with the crowning of the Homecoming Day king and queen and an announcement of the winning class float entry.
“We are beyond excited to reintroduce our Homecoming activities and look forward to a fun-filled week and weekend in early October,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “As always, Homecoming provides an opportunity to bring the school community together in celebration of the past, present and future. This year’s celebration is long awaited and well earned by all in Huntington!”
COVID-19 related safety precautions will be visible throughout the celebration as the pandemic continues. Almost all of the festivities are slated for outdoors, but even then there will be some distancing practicing depending on the specific activity.
Homecoming is a production of the high school student government, which is led by faculty advisors David Moriarty and Danielle Raguzin along with individual class advisors.
The high school student government has been planning the event since last summer and it is still finalizing many aspects of the event. A crowd numbering in the thousands in expected to participate in this year’s events.
A bonfire will be held in the high school parking lot on Thursday night. Details will be released soon. There will be games, food, music and plenty of surprises.
A decades-long tradition will continue on Saturday morning as the 11 a.m. parade will include four colorful class floats, the Blue Devil marching band, cars ferrying members of the Royal Court, trucks and tractors filled with hundreds of students and untold numbers of marchers on every grade level.
Parade participants will include Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack, Superintendent James W. Polansky, members of the Huntington School Board and the district’s administrative corps, PTA members and teachers from across the district. The class floats will later be put on display adjacent to the football field following the parade.
Those participating in the Saturday morning parade can utilize a free shuttle bus, which will running back and forth between Huntington High School and the Gerard Street parking lot which is the step-off point. The bus will run from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to ferry parade participants to and from their cars. Those utilizing the shuttle service must wear a mask while inside the bus.
The Friday afternoon outdoor pep rally at Blue Devil Stadium is already being eagerly anticipated. Coaches will introduce their teams, the Highsteppers and Ready Step dance teams will perform and the Blue Devil marching band will entertain students and faculty members.
Friday night of homecoming week will be busy as students spend time putting the finishing touches on their class floats from 6-11 p.m. Following their afternoon practice, varsity and JV football players will attend an outdoor team dinner organized by parents.
No tickets are required for football game on Saturday. Admission is free. The Huntington Booster Club will be on hand selling food, refreshments and an assortment of Blue Devil apparel items throughout the game. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend.
Organizers are hoping for all-inclusive parade participation with students and parents from all eight buildings and that families from across the district will stay to watch the football game.
Student government officers and school officials are busy handling final preparations for the festivities.
